Schools Outreach
Taster Day
Each year, pupils from different schools get a taste of what it’s like to study STEM subjects at Lancaster University. The annual Science and Technology Taster Day welcomes year twelve pupils on to campus to take part in a variety of different lectures and practical workshops, giving them a glimpse of life at a top UK University.
Learn moreSTEM Challenge Day
Students from across the northwest enter a competition to share their enthusiasm for science and technology and meet scientists working here at Lancaster. Schools who register to attend bring a team of 12 pupils (3 for each of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) to compete against other schools in the region, over a range of STEM challenges.
Students from 2015 were put to the test making iodine clocks, building hologram-like projection stages using iPads, designing and firing bottle rockets and making precision measurements.
Places are limited and the day is aimed specifically at students in years 9 and 10 and it is advised to apply early to avoid disappointment.
Winning teams will be awarded prizes, and the overall winning school will be presented the Simon Martindale Shield, and £250 of library vouchers for their school.
Teacher INSET Days
Teachers can gain valuable insight into STEM subjects by spending an INSET day at Lancaster University.
These days take place during the October school INSET day and provide teachers from South Lakes Federation schools (SLF) schools with the opportunity to explore Lancaster University departments and gain hands-on experience of cutting edge research techniques, whilst also allowing time to discuss the school curriculum and how changes can be made.
SLF School teachers can visit Lancaster University’s Faculty of Science and Technology departments and gain hands-on experience of cutting edge research techniques, whilst also allowing time to discuss the school curriculum and how changes can be made.
In October 2013 Lancaster’s Faculty of Science and Technology hosted their first INSET Days for 15 science teachers from secondary schools in SLF to develop mechanisms for future engagement between teachers and researchers. Following on from the first event in 2013, this event became more popular in October 2014 with 36 teachers and again in October 2015 with 56 teachers attending.
“It gives us a real buzz out of coming here, it isn’t just educationally focused, it's focused on us as well I’ve been learning about [topic] today, and I think I’m going to use that when I’m teaching this, it’s going to be a better experience for my students, it feels it’s more centred on us, on our education, and inspiring us again about our subject which I think is really important”.
“I was surprised about the eye tracker because it was a Psychology presentation … learning something completely different which is refreshing, teachers are usually thinking within their own subject, whereas this is something we can add to their experience, something extra which can be linked in some way to enhance the curriculum and teaching and learning”.
